Francisco Partners, H.I.G. Capital acquire RBmedia: What this means for audiobook industry

Global investment firms Francisco Partners and H.I.G. Capital have teamed up to acquire RBmedia, one of the major audiobook publishers in the world. The acquisition was completed from previous owner KKR, positioning the new ownership to further expand RBmedia’s robust catalog and global distribution network.

Key Financials and Advisors in the Acquisition

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, and Barclays served as financial advisors for the deal. On the legal front, Kirkland & Ellis LLP advised Francisco Partners while Latham & Watkins LLP represented H.I.G. Capital. The financial specifics of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

RBmedia’s Impact on the Audiobook Market

Founded in 1979 and based in Landover, Maryland, RBmedia boasts an award-winning catalog of over 66,000 audiobook titles. These titles are accessible through more than 50 digital listening platforms, including but not limited to Audible, Spotify, and Apple. In the past five years, the company has successfully doubled its catalog, reaching millions of listeners worldwide.

What New Ownership Means for RBmedia

“We are excited to partner with H.I.G. to help usher in RBmedia’s next phase of growth as the audiobook industry continues to expand,” said Matt Spetzler and Jason Brein, Partners at Francisco Partners. Tom Maclsaac, CEO of RBmedia, added, “We look forward to working with Francisco Partners and H.I.G. to capitalize on the numerous tailwinds present in the industry.”

Aaron Tolson, Managing Director at H.I.G., commented on the industry’s growth prospects, stating, “The audiobook industry is poised for sustained growth.”